Summary of a mighty bunch. A mighty bunch. Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov

« Mighty bunch"(definition by V. Stasov) Circle of St. Petersburg composers. Circle of St. Petersburg composers. Founder: Mily Balakirev. Founder: Mily Balakirev. M.P. Mussorgsky, A.P. Borodin, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, Ts.A. Cui, Composition: M. P. Mussorgsky, A. P. Borodin, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov, Ts.A. Cui,

Mily Alekseevich Balakirev composer, composer, pianist, pianist, conductor, conductor, head of the “Mighty Handful”. chapter of "The Mighty Handful".

He studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Kazan University. I studied at the Faculty of Mathematics of Kazan University for a year - met with Glinka, he convinced me to devote myself to music for a year - met with Glinka, he convinced me to devote myself to music. On March 18, 1862, he, together with Gavriil Lomakin, founded the “Free Music School”. On March 18, 1862, he, together with Gavriil Lomakin, founded the “Free Music School”. From 1868, he headed the school as director until the fall of 1874. From 1868, he headed the school as director until the fall of 1874.

From the autumn of 1867 to the spring of 1869, Mily Balakirev conducted symphony concerts of the Imperial Russian Musical Society. From the autumn of 1867 to the spring of 1869, Mily Balakirev conducted symphony concerts of the Imperial Russian Musical Society. In 1883, Balakirev was appointed by the emperor to head the court singing chapel. In 1883, Balakirev was appointed by the emperor to head the court singing chapel. Lark

Alexander Porfiryevich Borodin is from the extramarital affair of 62-year-old Prince Luka Stepanovich Gedevanishvili and 25-year-old Evdokia Konstantinovna Antonova and at birth was recorded as the son of a serf servant of Prince Porfiry Ionovich Borodin and his wife Tatyana Grigorievna. from the extramarital affair of 62-year-old Prince Luka Stepanovich Gedevanishvili and 25-year-old Evdokia Konstantinovna Antonova and at birth was recorded as the son of the serf servant of Prince Porfiry Ionovich Borodin and his wife Tatyana Grigorievna.

Until the age of 7, the boy was a serf of his father, who, before his death in 1840, gave his son his freedom and bought a four-story house for him and Evdokia Konstantinovna, who was married to the military doctor Kleineke. The illegitimate boy was presented as the nephew of Evdokia Konstantinovna. Until the age of 7, the boy was a serf of his father, who, before his death in 1840, gave his son his freedom and bought a four-story house for him and Evdokia Konstantinovna, who was married to the military doctor Kleineke. The illegitimate boy was presented as the nephew of Evdokia Konstantinovna. Due to his background, which did not allow him to enter the gymnasium, Borodin was home-schooled in all subjects of the gymnasium course, studied German and French languages and received an excellent education. Due to his background, which did not allow him to enter the gymnasium, Borodin was home-schooled in all subjects of the gymnasium course, studied German and French and received an excellent education.

Already in childhood he discovered his musical talent, at the age of 9 he wrote his first polka piece, “Helen”. Learned to play musical instruments first on the flute and piano, and from the age of 13 on the cello. At the same time, he created his first serious musical work, a concerto for flute and piano. Already in childhood he discovered his musical talent, at the age of 9 he wrote his first polka piece, “Helen”. He studied musical instruments, first on the flute and piano, and from the age of 13 on the cello. At the same time, he created his first serious musical work, a concerto for flute and piano. At the age of 10, he became interested in chemistry, which over the years turned from a hobby into his life’s work. At the age of 10, he became interested in chemistry, which over the years turned from a hobby into his life’s work. In 1858, Borodin received his doctorate in medicine, having conducted chemical research and defended a dissertation on the topic “On the analogy of phosphoric and arsenic acid in chemical and toxicological relations.” In 1858, Borodin received his doctorate in medicine, having conducted chemical research and defended a dissertation on the topic “On the analogy of phosphoric and arsenic acid in chemical and toxicological relations.”

A.P. Borodin is also considered one of the founders of the classical genres of symphony and quartet in Russia. A.P. Borodin is also considered one of the founders of the classical genres of symphony and quartet in Russia. them the liberation ideas of the 1860s, romansepos, 1860s-chromansepos, 1860s

PRINCE IGOR Opera in four acts with a prologue Libretto by A. P. Borodin. Characters: Igor Svyatoslavovich, Prince Seversky - baritone Yaroslavna, his wife in his second marriage - soprano Vladimir Igorevich, his son from his first marriage - tenor Vladimir Yaroslavich, prince. Galitsky, brother of Prince. Yaroslavny - high bass Konchak, Gzak, Polovtsian khans Konchakovna, daughter of Khan Konchak Ovlur, baptized Polovtsian - contraltotenor Nanny Yaroslavny Polovtsian girl Russian princes and princesses, boyars and boyars, elders, Russian warriors, girls, people. Polovtsian khans, Konchakovna’s friends, slaves (chagi) of Khan Konchak, Russian captives, Polovtsian guards

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky Graduated from the School of Guards Ensigns. Graduated from the School of Guards Ensigns. His music was not understood or accepted by his contemporaries. His music was not understood or accepted by his contemporaries. The most famous works- operas “Boris Godunov”, “Khovanshchina”; piano cycle “Pictures at an Exhibition” The most famous works are the operas “Boris Godunov”, “Khovanshchina”; piano cycle “Pictures at an Exhibition”

Portrait by Ilya Repin Addiction to alcohol, which has progressed greatly in last decade life, became destructive for Mussorgsky’s health and negatively affected the intensity of his creativity. After failure at work and dismissal, he was content with odd jobs and some financial support from friends. He died in a military hospital, where he was admitted after an attack of delirium tremens.

Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov Rimsky-Korsakov was the creator of the composer school, the creator of the composer school, among his students there were about two hundred composers, conductors, and musicologists. school, among his students there are about two hundred composers, conductors, and musicologists. Basics musical heritage– operas: The Snow Maiden”, “Sadko”, “The Tale of Tsar Saltan”, “ The Tsar's Bride", "The Golden Cockerel" and others. The main musical heritage is the operas: The Snow Maiden", "Sadko", "The Tale of Tsar Saltan", "The Tsar's Bride", "The Golden Cockerel" and others Cesar Antonovich Cui Russian composer and music critic, professor of fortification , engineer-general. Russian composer and music critic, professor of fortification, engineer general. Operas " Captain's daughter", "Feast in the Time of Plague", "Puss in Boots", etc. Operas "The Captain's Daughter", "Feast in the Time of Plague", "Puss in Boots", etc. Works for orchestra, chamber instrumental ensembles. Works for orchestra and chamber instrumental ensembles.

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“The Mighty Handful” - five brave sailors, military men, chemists, and engineers. And only one - professional musician. Together - “The Mighty Handful”. Rimsky-Korsakov, Mussorgsky, Borodin, Cui and Balakirev. Composers, thanks to whom in the 19th century. In Russia, its own national music school appeared - and declared itself to the whole world.

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They themselves called themselves the “Balakirev circle”. And in the story with light hand the great critic Vladimir Vasilyevich Stasov entered as “a small but already mighty bunch of Russian musicians”, in other words - “A Mighty Handful”. Five brave men who fought for the right of Russian music to exist and won in this fight: Mily Alekseevich Balakirev, Alexander Porfirievich Borodin, Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky, Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky-Korsakov, Caesar Antonovich Curie...

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Mily Balakirev The performing talent of the founder of the circle, Mily Balakirev, manifested itself in early age. Family living in Nizhny Novgorod, decided that the boy would definitely become a pianist and musician. Soon a philanthropist was found - local industrialist A. Ulybyshev, who had two passions - music and collecting books. He maintained his own home orchestra, and the library occupied several rooms of his mansion. Young Balakirev spent long hours among Ulybyshev’s volumes. I read everything - from the classics of world literature to special books on music theory. And so I received a very good musical education. And until 1862 there was not a single musical institution in Russia! And he had his first conducting practice at the age of 18 - at the Easter concert of the Ulybyshev Orchestra.

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In the mid-50s. The 19-year-old musician decided to conquer the capital. His first concerts in St. Petersburg attracted enormous public attention. His name becomes famous, the fashionable virtuoso pianist (who also performs his own music) is vying with each other for invitations to social events.

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But soon Balakirev abandons the seemingly profitable career of a performer. He has a different goal! Following Glinka, he wants to develop national traditions in music, to be a musician-educator. Miliy Alekseevich's passionate speeches, his exceptional musical talent and love for national art had a hypnotic effect on those around him: “... his personal charm was terribly great. Young, with wonderful, moving, fiery eyes, with a beautiful beard, speaking decisively, authoritatively and directly, every minute ready for wonderful improvisation at the piano, remembering every measure, memorizing instantly the compositions played to him...” (from the memoirs of Rimsky-Korsakov). A circle of young people quickly forms around Balakirev, from which at first the young military engineer Cesar Cui stands out.

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Caesar Cui Actually, Caesar Antonovich Cui was two years older than Balakirev. And by 1856, when the young musician was just conquering the capital, he had already graduated from the reputable Engineering Academy. Cui was well versed in music, played the violin and piano, and even tried to write himself. In his hometown In Vilna, the famous Polish composer Stanislaw Moniuszko worked on harmony with him.

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But for the time being, engineer Cui did not attach serious importance to his hobby - music. Balakirev convinced Cui to take up music seriously and became his teacher, critic, and assistant. However, even having won recognition as a composer, Cui did not give up his main activity: after graduating from the academy, he remained to teach fortification there. And in 1878 was appointed professor and occupied departments simultaneously in three military academies: the General Staff, Engineering and Artillery. Here are the titles of the most notable works of the outstanding Russian composer: “A short textbook on field fortification”, “Attack and defense of modern fortresses”, “The role of long-term fortification in the defense of states”. More than one generation of Russian military engineers studied from them! And as a composer, Cui was also very prolific: operas, suites, a tarantella (brilliantly arranged by F. Liszt for piano), pieces for piano, violin and cello and, of course, romances (among his favorite authors are Pushkin, Nekrasov, A.K. Tolstoy). But still, Cui was best known to his contemporaries as a music critic.

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The combative nature of his articles, their literary brilliance, the same elegance of style as in music, made Cui one of the most authoritative and dangerous writers for his enemies. They listened to his opinion, they were afraid of his reviews. They believed him. Defending the work of his comrades in the “Mighty Handful,” Cui left no stone unturned from his opponents. But what horror did the friends experience when Cui, with the same power, with the same wit, attacked the brilliant, innovative work of his brother M. Mussorgsky - the opera "Boris Godunov", which was dedicated to his circle comrades! Mussorgsky did not forgive Cui for this “Knife in the Back” until the end of his days. Later, the poet Alexei Apukhtin wrote an epigram: But who is this Caesar, this Cui? He became a feuilletonist, He throws out menacing articles to the delight of high school students. He, like Ratcliffe, inspires fear, Beethoven is nothing to him, and even the elderly Bach was guilty before him.

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Modest Mussorgsky And it all started idyllically - Mussorgsky became the third permanent participant in Balakirev’s musical evenings. This happened in 1857, when the future genius composer I was only 17 years old. His homeland is the village of Karevo in the Pskov region. Russian wilderness, where the “spirit” itself folk life", as Modest Petrovich said, remained intact. Mussorgsky's first musical experiments took place at home under the guidance of his mother. At ten years of age, the descendant of an old noble family was taken to St. Petersburg, to the School of Guards Ensigns.

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Studying at school made such a strong impression on Modest that his first musical work, a polka for piano, was called “Ensign”. After graduating from school, Mussorgsky was enrolled in the Preobrazhensky Guards Regiment. It seemed that the future was predetermined, but the young man was clearly burdened by the military routine. He not only played the piano brilliantly, but also improvised freely, was very well read, had an excellent knowledge of philosophy and history, had a relaxed and cheerful disposition, was sociable, and was drawn to people. The acquaintance with Balakirev and Cui turned out to be fateful; he happily refused military service in the name of art. Mussorgsky is preparing to write a great musical drama. Visiting Balakirev every day, the young composer discusses plans with him, learns instrumentation and composition from him, and spends a lot of time at the piano. This is exactly how the young midshipman Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov saw the ex-ensign.

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Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Rimsky-Korsakov came from an ancient noble family. Born in the ancient town of Tikhvin, Novgorod province. Here they loved holidays, religiously observed customs - they said goodbye to winter with songs and dances, burned an effigy of Maslenitsa, welcomed spring with wreaths and round dances, bonfires were lit on the night of Ivan Kupala, and weddings were celebrated after harvesting the grain. Little Nika observed all this more than once while walking with his mother or uncle in the outskirts of the city. Returning in the evening, we sat down to drink tea with jam.

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Then the mother accompanied the uncle, who loved to sing. The humorous folk “Sharlatarla from Partala” was replaced by the sad “It’s not sleep that’s bothering my little head.” Soon Nika, who had perfect pitch and beautiful musical memory, was already proud that he himself could play along with his uncle... But at the age of 12, Tikhvin’s quiet life ended. The boy was sent to St. Petersburg, to the Naval Corps. Nika didn't like it there. The only consolation, salvation from the drabness of everyday life is Sunday trips to the opera. What amazed him most was symphony orchestra, in which each instrument seemed to live its own life, to have its own voice. And intertwining, these different voices created an incredible miracle of music... The older brother took the growing boy on a summer voyage - the best practice for a future naval officer.

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However, this short journey almost became tragic. Nika fell into the sea, falling from the ropes of the mizzen mast. Half-dead, he was pulled out of the water. Rimsky-Korsakov later said that it was then that he realized that naval service was not for him. For the last 2 years of his studies, he has been taking music lessons and trying to compose himself. And finally, thanks to his music teacher, the Italian Canilla, an ardent admirer of Glinka, ends up in Balakirev’s house... The composer liked the student’s plays so much that he immediately began to convince young man give up everything and take up music seriously. Confused, Rimsky-Korsakov spent the rest of the evening in a fog: “I immediately plunged into some new, unknown world, finding myself among real, talented musicians, about whom I had heard so much before...” Nikolai becomes a regular at Balakirev’s evenings. He quickly became friends with Mussorgsky and Curie. Encouraged by his new friends, Rimsky-Korsakov began composing a symphony. But, what a shame, he doesn’t have time to finish it before the final exams and subsequent voyage, which is mandatory for graduates of the Naval Corps. Nika is not yet ready to give up everything for music. And the Almaz clipper, part of Rear Admiral Lesovsky’s squadron, becomes his home for the next year.

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And his mentor Balakirev still hurries him to finish the symphony, complains about the rarity of letters from the brave sailor, describes the events musical life capitals. A young officer at heart in distant St. Petersburg, he is not at all interested in the secret political mission with which the squadron is moving to New York... And this is not an entertaining trip: in America the height of the war between the South and the North. Russia's sympathies are on the side of the “northerners”. The squadron’s combat mission is to protect the coast from attack by the “southerner” fleet and to intimidate the ships of France and Great Britain that sympathize with the Confederates... And Rimsky-Korsakov is rushing to St. Petersburg. In one of the concerts of the Free music school(founded by Balakirev in opposition to the official Conservatory) his finally completed symphony was performed. Its success exceeded all expectations and inspired the author and his associates! The Balakirev circle becomes the brightest phenomenon of Russian musical life. At this time, the fifth member of the “Mighty Handful”, St. Petersburger Alexander Borodin, joined the already established four.

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Alexander Borodin Sasha’s father was the Georgian prince Luka Gedianov, and his mother was the St. Petersburg bourgeois Avdotya Antonovna. The boy received his surname and patronymic from one of his father’s serfs. But his appearance and temperament revealed him as the heir to the Georgian princely family. Apparently, this explains the choice of profession, because chemistry is one of the few sciences where everything seethes, burns and explodes legally, for the benefit of the cause. Sasha turned out to be a multi-talented child - from the age of 8 he played the flute, piano and cello, and from the age of 9 he began composing music.

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Having brilliantly graduated from the Medical-Surgical Academy, Borodin went to Heidelberg for a 3-year internship. By this time he was already the author of several romances and instrumental pieces. But science for the future academician, head of the chemical laboratory of the Medical-Surgical Academy, is still unconditionally in first place. This was the case until his return to St. Petersburg in 1862. Having met Balakirev and coming to his musical evening, Borodin met M. Mussorgsky there. He had known him for a long time, from the military land hospital where he had an internship during his studies (and the 17-year-old warrant officer Mussorgsky was on duty there)... The atmosphere in Balakirev’s house is creative and relaxed. Borodin happily sits down at the piano and performs his compositions. Balakirev is delighted: he managed to find another extraordinary talent.

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It's a great time. Meetings in Balakirev's house on Nevsky Prospekt are becoming more and more crowded. They attract gifted youth like a magnet. The fame of the circle has long since crossed the borders of St. Petersburg; people come here specifically to listen to real music, to talk about the ways of development of Russian art, about the destinies of the country. The “Mighty Five” work tirelessly: everyone is overwhelmed with creative ideas, any thought is picked up on the fly, revealed, filled with new content... They are young, efficient and very talented. Members of the circle now meet almost every day: either on Balakirev’s “Wednesdays”, or on Cui’s “Thursdays” (in 1858 Cui married a student of the composer Dargomyzhsky, pianist Maria Bamberg, and began to live his own home), then in the house of Lyudmila Ivanovna Shestakova, the youngest Glinka's sisters, sometimes on Sundays at Stasov's house, sometimes at musical evenings at Dargomyzhsky. The atmosphere is almost family-like: sitting at the table, guests and hosts talk, drink tea with bagels and jam. Snacks and port are always prepared for bachelors. Performers change at the piano - sketches of new works, excerpts from operas, piano pieces, romances, folk songs.

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At one of the evenings, Rimsky-Korsakov meets the charming pianist Nadezhda Purgold. Long romantic walks around her dacha in Pargolovo, shared reading and playing musical works... Nikolai Andreevich understands: this girl is his destiny, it’s time to propose to her.

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But... first we need to finish the opera “The Pskov Woman”. Mussorgsky actively helps him in this, while he is simultaneously working on the second edition of Boris Godunov. A unique musical tandem has emerged. In order not to run to each other several times a day, Mussorgsky and Rimsky-Korsakov even decide to live together, renting an apartment on Panteleimonovskaya Street. “Our life with Mussorgsky was, I believe, the only example of two composers living together,” Rimsky-Korsakov later recalled. “We both worked hard, constantly exchanging thoughts and intentions.” Borodin, meanwhile, does not lag behind his comrades; on the advice of Balakirev and Stasov, he conceives an opera based on the plot of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” At the same time, Borodin most of devotes his time to work at the Medical-Surgical Academy, because since 1864. he is a professor. Cui is finishing the opera “William Ratcliffe” and is going to write the opera “Angelo” based on the plot of Victor Hugo. Like Borodin, he combines musical creativity with teaching at the Engineering Academy. Moreover, he writes polemical articles for St. Petersburg Vedomosti. The leader of the circle, the founding father Balakirev, is becoming increasingly famous as a conductor. His conducting style, according to Dargomyzhsky, is distinguished by “fiery fervor.”

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And the great Richard Wagner, who was present at one of his performances, speaks enthusiastically about Balakirev, saying that he sees his future rival in the Russian conductor. In 1867 Balakirev is invited to Prague to conduct a production of Glinka’s opera “Ruslan and Lyudmila”. Happy, he writes to St. Petersburg: “Ruslan” has finally conquered the Czech public. The enthusiasm with which he was received does not diminish even now, although I have already conducted him 3 times...” The triumphant march of Russian music around the world that he predicted has begun... Balakirev’s success in Prague puts him on a par with the best Russian conductors of that time. Therefore, when Anton Rubinstein leaves to work abroad, it is Balakirev who is invited to take the vacant position as chief conductor of the Imperial Russian Musical Society. This means that the “new Russian school” has finally won a victory in the long-term war with the conservative official direction in Russian music. Over the next 2 years, the composer continues to zealously promote the best, from his point of view, works modern music. He also does not forget about his favorite brainchild - the Free Music School.

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However, Balakirev's uncompromising position irritates many. And now a whole campaign against him is unfolding in the press. The “mighty handful” are again scolded and accused of all mortal sins. But most of all it goes to its creator - even Stasov is unable to protect his friend Balakirev. In the spring of 1869 Miliya Alekseevich is removed from conducting the society's concerts. Proud, proud Balakirev is painfully worried about what happened. True, there is still a Free Music School, there are still faithful students, creativity. Only the school is supported by private donations, and after the scandal with the Musical Society, funding is sharply reduced. Balakirev tries to invest his money, but then his father dies, and he has to take care of his younger sisters. Orchestra members and teachers have nothing to pay their salaries. In 1874 Balakirev refuses the post of director of the Free School. Somehow, Balakirev’s relationship with his pets, members of the “Mighty Handful,” also changed by themselves. They meet less and less often, each has their own life, their own work, Balakirev no longer has power over their minds and feelings.

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Having formed as independent creative personalities, composers no longer need constant supervision. No, they have not abandoned their previous ideals and treat Balakirev with great respect, but then everyone wants to go their own way. Borodin spoke about it this way: “while we were all in the position of eggs under the hen (meaning Balakirev by the latter), we were all more or less alike. As soon as the eggs hatched, the chicks grew feathers. Everyone's feathers came out... different; and when the wings grew, everyone flew wherever he was drawn... The lack of similarity in direction, aspirations, tastes, the nature of creativity... in my opinion, is a good and not at all a sad side of the matter.” But the wounded Balakirev cannot come to terms with the loss of influence on his recent students. He regards this as a betrayal. It seems to him that everything he devoted his life to turned out to be unclaimed - in the end he was simply thrown out as unnecessary, old thing! Severe depression set in, and thoughts of suicide appeared. Shocked by the state of this once mentally strong, tireless man, his friends urged him to return to creativity, to music, to his former life. hectic activity. In response, Balakirev goes to serve as a minor official in the Warsaw Store Department railway, becomes an unsociable, painfully religious person.

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He avoids his former musical acquaintances, and indeed any conversations on these topics. TO musical creativity Balakirev returned only 10 years later: he again became the director of the Free Music School and even took the post of director of the Court Singing Chapel. He worked hard and fruitfully, but lived a secluded life. The fate of Mussorgsky, the most talented and original, according to Stasov, of all the magnificent five composers, was tragic. Under the mask of gaiety and recklessness hid a lonely, childishly vulnerable soul. He felt great among friends. But Rimsky-Korsakov married and settled separately, Cui and Borodin are increasingly moving away and living their own lives. And the depressed Balakirev was not very suitable for the role of a nanny. After the collapse of the “mighty handful”, Mussorgsky feels lonely, he definitely needs someone to take care of him. And here in the early 70s. died him close friend artist and architect Hartmann (“pictures from an exhibition”, one of best works Mussorgsky, - a tribute to the memory of this artist). You have to make a living somehow. Moreover, the management of the Imperial Theaters does not accept “Boris Godunov” for production and requires alterations... Mussorgsky also suffered from the eternal Russian disease - excessive craving for alcohol. He was able to fight this addiction if there was a person nearby who was watching him...

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A meeting with the young poet Count Arseny Golenishchev-Kutuzov filled Mussorgsky's life with new meaning. Mussorgsky created, and Golenishchev-Kutuzov made sure that the composer always had breakfast, lunch and dinner. And also solved other everyday problems for him. Not by chance vocal works 70s written by Mussorgsky to the words of Golenishchev-Kutuzov. But then Arseny gets married and Modest is left alone again. Well, maybe Stasov... He also cared about his health and state of mind Mussorgsky, about which the composer wrote with delight: “No one warmed me hotter than you... no one showed me the path more clearly... No one sees better than you where I’m going, what excavations I’m doing... You love me - you know that, love and I can sense it for you...” But the trouble is that Mussorgsky needed daily attention, and even Stasov could not give this... The St. Petersburg public for the most part did not accept Mussorgsky’s innovative creations, he was an “ignoramus” for them and his music is “cacophony and ugliness.” To spite everyone, Mussorgsky continued to write, although now slowly, with interruptions. Since 1872 And until his death in 1881. he is working on the famous musical drama “Khovanshchina”. He is fully supported by Stasov and old friends.

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When Mussorgsky once again lost his job and was expelled from the apartment for non-payment, they decided to “chip in” and pay him something like a pension, with the condition that he would definitely compose music for “Khovanshchina”. Having received the money, the flabby, sloppily dressed Mussorgsky spent most of his time wandering around the city in search of cheap booze. “Khovanshchina” by Mussorgsky was never completed, the great work of completing the opera and putting in order all the remaining manuscripts of the deceased was taken upon by Rimsky-Korsakov... Mussorgsky, an innovative composer, ahead of his time and influenced the development of great composers: Debussy, Ravel, Prokofiev, Stravinsky. It so happened that over time, Rimsky-Korsakov became the informal leader of the “Mighty Handful.” Back in 1871 The composer received an offer from the directorate of the St. Petersburg Conservatory to take the place of head of the practical composition, instrumentation and orchestral classes. After hesitation, he agreed. Fortunately, because he turned out to be an excellent teacher. His classes were easy and relaxed, attracting more and more students every year. It is no coincidence that a little later he also took the empty position of director of the Free Music School. It was from Nikolai Andreevich that the composers of the future studied - Glazunov, Myaskovsky, Stravinsky...

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Of the old friends, warm relations have been maintained with Borodin and Stasov... Rimsky-Korsakov selflessly works on the unfinished works of other participants in the Balakirev circle. Like Mussorgsky's Khovanshchina, Borodin's opera Prince Igor (which took 18 years to write) also remained unfinished. In 1887 Borodin died unexpectedly from heart attack- right at the Maslenitsa carnival. Rimsky-Korsakov completed “Prince Igor” together with Glazunov. The first performance of the opera took place on the Mariinsky stage in 1890. It aroused delight among the public and music critics and became one of the most famous Russian operas in the world... “Khovanshchina” was also staged for the first time in Rimsky-Korsakov’s edition. He also made the arrangement of “Boris Godunov”, and also prepared the music of “The Mighty Handful” for publication. Its originality is so obvious that European music critics speak with delight about the emergence of a new, powerful, independent movement in world culture... Most of them had no idea that the authors of this movement were a self-taught musician, a sailor, an engineer, a chemist and a military man...

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“In just 50-60 years, Russia has done in the field of music what others did in 300 or 400 years - it has caught up and surpassed everyone else. And this is a wonderful miracle and a wonderful miracle...” Vladimir Stasov, music and art critic of the 19th century.

Target: introduce students to creative association composers of the 19th century century "The Mighty Handful"

Tasks:

• Arouse interest in music;
• Improve musical perception;
• Contribute to the formation of spiritual culture and socially active personality of the child;
• Develop singing voice, to achieve harmony in sound, unity in the manner of singing.
• To foster a sense of patriotism, to awaken interest in Russian classical music.

Equipment:

• Computer with multimedia capabilities;
• Electronic presentation

Structure:
Communicating the theme, purpose, objectives of the lesson and motivation educational activities;
Preparation for learning new material through repetition and updating background knowledge;
Introduction to new material (student messages);
Comprehension and consolidation;
Summing up the lesson;

Methods:
repetition of what has been learned through oral questioning;
a story by the teacher and students using visual and auditory aids (looking at slides, listening to music);
analysis musical fragments, formulating conclusions during the conversation;
choral performance of a song (O. Gazmanov “Moscow”);
vocal exercises (performing the intonation of the choir “Glory” from the opera “A Life for the Tsar”).

I.Org. Moment.
Musical greeting from the teacher: “Hello, students!” (Incremental upward movement of the melody).
Student Response: “Hello, teacher!” (The melody moves downwards step by step)
- Find out the melody by the rhythmic pattern. (I clap the rhythmic pattern of the first phrase of the chorus “Glory” from M.I. Glinka’s opera “A Life for the Tsar”) Work on a coordinated performance. We move up the semitones, singing.
- Guys, tell me, in which city did they celebrate the victory over the Poles? (Children's answers)
Performance of O. Gazmanov’s song “Moscow”.
- Tell me, why are bells mentioned all the time in the song?
Absolutely right, since ancient times bells have played a big role in the life of the Russian people.
Work on unison, diction, expressive song performance
- Which composer used the sound of bells in the opera? (M.I. Glinka “Life for the Tsar”).
Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka became the founder of Russian classical music and his followers tried to continue the traditions of the great musician in their work.
In the second half of the 19th century, five composers united in order to bring creativity to the masses. This association was called the “Mighty Handful”
slide No. 1-3
Mighty bunch - the name of the creative community of Russian realist composers that formed in the early 60s of the 19th century under the leadership of M. Balakirev. The circle included A. Borodin, M. Mussorgsky, N. Rimsky-Korsakov, Ts. Cui. The ideological inspirer of the “Mighty Handful” was art historian and critic V. Stasov, who gave the name to the community. The composers of the “Mighty Handful” became the most prominent representatives of Russian national realistic music of the mid-19th century.
<slide No. 4-5>

II. Student messages.

Balakirev Mily Alekseevich. Born in Nizhny Novgorod in the family of a bankrupt nobleman who served as an official in the salt department. The child's first music teacher was his mother. Ten-year-old Balakirev was taken to Moscow, where he studied for some time with the famous pianist and teacher Dubuk. Balakirev received his secondary education at the gymnasium, and then at the Alexander Institute, and for two years he was a volunteer student at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics of Kazan University. Balakirev's first public performances as a pianist and conductor took place in Nizhny Novgorod. At the age of eighteen he moved to St. Petersburg and devoted himself entirely to music. Very soon, in the musical circles of the capital, he gained fame as an excellent pianist, an excellent note reader, an excellent improviser and composer. He is supported by Glinka and Serov. By the end of the 50s, a group of advanced and talented young musicians united around Balakirev, and the Balakirev circle “The Mighty Handful” was formed.
In the 1850-60s, Balakirev created many symphonic works and romances that developed Glinka’s traditions. In 1832, the composer became one of the organizers of the Free Music School, which became a center of mass education and enlightenment. Season 1866-1867 Balakirev spends in Prague, where he conducts Glinka's operas. From 1867 to 1869 he was conductor symphony concerts Russian Musical Society.
Time of brilliant victories and creative achievements gives way for Balakirev to years of crisis. 70s - departure from active public life, stopping performing, breaking up with many old friends, and moving closer to the church. In the early 80s, Balakirev returned to musical activity, again becomes the head of the Free Music School, performs in concerts, and since 1883 has directed the Court Choir. Balakirev died in 1910 in St. Petersburg.
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What surprised you about sounding music? What impression did she make on you? (Children's answers)

Cui Caesar Antonovich. Born in Vilnius in the family of a teacher. He began studying music at the age of 10; Cui's first teacher in composition was S. Moniuszko. From 1851 he studied at the Main Engineering School, then at the Military Engineering Academy, where he remained to teach (since 1891, emeritus professor). He was a famous military fortification engineer and held the rank of general. Big role in creative life Cui played an acquaintance with Balakirev, Dargomyzhsky, Stasov. Cui becomes a member of the "Mighty Handful". Cui's debut as a composer took place in 1859 (Scherzo for orchestra). Since 1864, he was engaged in musical critical activities, published in a variety of publications, and always defended the ideas of the Russian music school.
In his work, despite his close creative communication with the composers of the “Mighty Handful,” Cui rather belonged to the romantics. The most valuable thing in Cui's creative heritage is vocal lyrics and romances. Cui completed (from sketches) Dargomyzhsky's unfinished operas " Stone Guest" and "Sorochinskaya Fair" by Mussorgsky.
<слайд № 8 >

Borodin Alexander Porfirievich. Born in St. Petersburg, illegitimate son Georgian prince L. Gedianov. Since childhood, his love for both music and natural sciences. After graduating from high school and then the Medical-Surgical Academy (1856), Borodin continued his studies in science (chemistry). In 1858 he defended his dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Medicine. At the Faculty of Medicine, Borodin heads the chemical laboratory and is awarded the title of professor. However, under the influence of Balakirev, he begins to study music more and more seriously. Some time later, he was already writing his first symphony, which found recognition in Russian musical circles. Together with Rimsky-Korsakov, Balakirev and Ts. Cui, he creates a group, the so-called “Mighty Handful,” which was later joined by M. Mussorgsky. Borodin's whole life passed without storms and shocks, mainly in the same city - St. Petersburg. He considered chemistry to be his profession. In 1877 Borodin received the title of academician. He taught at Women's medical courses (1872-1885), but devoted every free minute to musical creativity. Borodin wrote the opera “Prince Igor” (with the famous “ Polovtsian dances"), the opera-ballet "Mlada", three symphonies, the symphonic poem "In Central Asia", two quartets (one of them includes the often performed "Nocturne"), songs and piano works. Borodin's works, the first of which are especially close to German romanticism, are characterized by epic breadth, masculinity, rich melody, harmonic clarity and purity, and, above all, a close connection with Russian folklore.
< слайд № 9-12 >

What did you imagine while listening to these works? What picture would you paint? (Students' answers)

Mussorgsky Modest Petrovich. Born into a poor landowner family in the village of Karevo, Pskov province. Since childhood, he played the piano, while discovering his ability to compose music. He entered the School of Guards Ensigns, which he graduated from in 1852, while simultaneously studying music with the famous pianist-teacher A. Gerke. But only in 1858, having abandoned military career and enrolling in public service, Mussorgsky was able to devote time to his music lessons. When progressive-minded composers Borodin, Balakirev, Cui and Rimsky-Korsakov organized the “Mighty Handful,” Mussorgsky joined them.
Despite his busy career (1862-1867), the composer worked a lot and intensely on his musical works.
In 1879, having gladly escaped from the gray everyday life of the bureaucratic service, Mussorgsky went on a trip to Russia as an accompanist for the singer Daria Leonova.
Oppressive monotony everyday life and difficult financial conditions led Mussorgsky to alcoholism. His depression continually deepened. He died in the Nikolaev military hospital in St. Petersburg.
In his work, imbued with deep nationalism and realism, Mussorgsky was the most consistent exponent of democratic ideas. His operas “Boris Godunov” and “Khovanshchina” have no equal in the world musical art in the strength and depth of the embodiment of images, in the truthfulness and brightness of the image of the masses.
Distinctive feature Mussorgsky's creativity was due to his lack of systematic musical education. It is believed that he did not know how to instrument his compositions, and Rimsky-Korsakov often did this for him.
In addition to operas, Mussorgsky wrote the suite “Pictures at an Exhibition,” a number of choral, piano and symphonic works (“Night on Bald Mountain,” etc.), many songs and romances, including “Songs and Dances of Death,” which were very original for that time.
<slide No. 13-18>

Which piece did you like?

Rimsky-Korsakov Nikolai Andreevich. Born in the city of Tikhvin into a noble family. He received his musical education at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in piano and composition. He wrote his first symphony at the age of nineteen. For several years, Rimsky-Korsakov served in the Navy, where he received an officer rank. At the same time he was studying creative activity and in 1871 received the title of professor of instrumentation at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Later he was given the composition class and appointed director of the Free Music School and inspector of brass bands of the Naval Department.
Together with Borodin, Balakirev and Cui, he organizes the “Mighty Handful”. Rimsky-Korsakov possessed great creative ingenuity and perfect compositional technique.
The work of Rimsky-Korsakov is imbued with the ideas of democracy, nationality, love of freedom, it widely developed folk melodies, folk poetic images, the legends and poetry of the native country are reflected.
He wrote the fairy-tale operas “Sadko”, “Snow Maiden”, “The Golden Cockerel”, three symphonies, symphonic suite“Scheherazade”, overture “Bright Holiday”, “Spanish Capriccio”, musical film “Sadko”, numerous songs, as well as choral and chamber works. All of the composer’s work is deeply imbued with the “Russian spirit.”
Along with G. Berlioz and R. Strauss, Rimsky-Korsakov is considered the greatest master of instrumentation. Great value His theoretical works also have. The textbook “Fundamentals of Orchestration” is one of the best textbooks in this area, and students still use its textbook on harmony in our time.
<slide No. 19-22>

We listened to fragments from the opera “The Snow Maiden”. Tell me, why does the opera end joyfully and solemnly, because the Snow Maiden has melted? (Children's answers)

III. Running the test on computers. (it can be digitized in the shell that is convenient for the teacher)
Appendix No. 1

IV. Summing up the lesson.
- The machine gave you all a rating. If you are not satisfied with it, then you need to find material on this topic, prepare and try your hand again at the next lesson.

Literature:

1. Kozlova " Musical literature. XIX"
2. SD « Great encyclopedia Cyril and Methodius"
3. SD "Interactive World" "Encyclopedia of Classical Music"

M.A. Balakirev

Ts.A. Cui

The community included:

N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov

A.P. Borodin

M.P. Mussorgsky

Vladimir Vasilievich Stasov

• ideological inspirer
• consultant circle
• art critic
• writer
• archivist

Name

appears for the first time in the article Stasov "Slavic Concert" Balakirev" (1867): “How much poetry, feeling, talent and skill the little one has, but already a mighty group of Russian musicians.” The name “New Russian Music School” was put forward by the circle members themselves, who considered themselves heirs of Mikhail Glinka and they saw their goal in the embodiment of Russian national idea in music.

Miliy Alekseevich Balakirev

(1836 -1910) a young, talented, educated musician, an excellent pianist, an excellent composer - he enjoyed enormous authority among his comrades. He guided them along the path of development of national Russian music and helped them master the basics of compositional technique.

Monument to M. Balakirev in Nizhny Novgorod

He was a volunteer student at the Faculty of Mathematics of Kazan University. In St. Petersburg, Balakirev met with Glinka, who convinced the young composer to devote himself to composing music in the national spirit. Serious musical education Balakirev owes it mainly to himself. In 1855, he first performed before the St. Petersburg public as a virtuoso pianist.

Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka

(1804-1857)

The composers of the “Mighty Handful” considered themselves heirs of M.I. Glinka and saw their goal in the development of Russian national music.

With love and care, young composers collected and studied Russian folk songs and used them in their work.

Alexander Porfirievich Borodin

(1833 -1887)

• Russian chemist and composer.
• he created more than 40 scientific works in chemistry.
• Famous musical works A.P. Borodin: opera “Prince Igor”, symphony No. 2 “Bogatyrskaya”, instrumental works, romances .

Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky

Cui and Dargomyzhsky

gave Mussorgsky the idea for the opera “Marriage”. Mussorgsky handed over the plan to Rimsky-Korsakov musical picture"Sadko"

Nikolai Andreevich Rimsky - Korsakov

(1844 - 1908) he is called a composer - a storyteller.

repeatedly came to Borodin’s aid while working on the opera “Prince Igor”. After the death of his friends, Rimsky-Korsakov did a titanic job of completing or orchestrating Mussorgsky’s operas “Khovanshchina”, “Boris Godunov”, “Marriage”, Borodin’s opera “Prince Igor”

Caesar Antonovich Cui

Talent is more lyrical than dramatic. An inexhaustible melodist, an inventive harmonist to the point of sophistication; less varied in rhythm, masters modern orchestral means. His music, while bearing the features of French grace and clarity of style, Slavic sincerity, flight of thought and depth of feeling, is devoid, with few exceptions, of a specifically Russian character.

Initially, the circle included Balakirev and Stasov, who were keen on reading Belinsky, Dobrolyubov, Herzen, Chernyshevsky. With their ideas they inspired the young composer Cui, and later they were joined by Mussorgsky, who left the rank of officer in the Preobrazhensky Regiment to study music.

• In 1862, N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov and A.P. Borodin joined the Balakirev circle. If Rimsky-Korsakov was a very young member of the circle, whose views and musical talent were just beginning to be determined, then Borodin by this time was already mature man, an outstanding chemist, friendly with such giants of Russian science as Mendeleev, Sechenov, Kovalevsky, Botkin.

K. E. Makovsky. Caricature of the Mighty Bunch

(pastel

pencil, 1871).

From left to right are depicted: Ts. A. Cui in the form of a fox wagging its tail, M. A. Balakirev in the form of a bear, V. V. Stasov (on his right shoulder in the form of Mephistopheles the sculptor M. M. Antokolsky, on the trumpet in the form of a monkey V. A. Hartman), N. A. Rimsky-Korsakov (in the form of a crab) with the Purgold sisters (in the form of domestic dogs), M. P. Mussorgsky (in the form of a rooster); A. P. Borodin is depicted behind Rimsky-Korsakov, and A. N. Serov is throwing angry Peruns from the clouds at the top right.

In the 70s of the 19th century, the “Mighty Handful” ceased to exist as a cohesive group.

The activities of the “Mighty Handful” became an era in development

Russian and world musical art.

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